Electronic dart board

ABSTRACT

An amusement machine with darts has a target disk arranged in an opening of the front wall of a housing, with moving segments worth different numbers of points and provided with dart receiving holes. When a dart hits a segment, it activates by means of an elastic backing a switching group arranged between the backing and a base plate, thus enabling the automatic recording, counting and display of the points achieved by electric and/or electronic components. The elastic backing (17), the switching group (16) and the base plate (18) are transparent to light and can be folded back together as a unit (31) with the target disk (4), starting from the front wall (25) and then the target disk (4). At least one light source (22) is provided inside the housing (1) behind the base plate (18).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a dart game including a dart target diskattached in an opening in the front wall of a housing. The movablesegments of the dart target disk are assigned different numbers ofpoints and are provided with holes to accept the thrown darts. When adart strikes a segment, a group of switches disposed between an elasticsupport and a carrier plate are actuated through this support so as topermit, via electrical and/or electronic components, automaticrecording, counting and display of the points earned.

Such dart games are known in the most varied embodiments. For example,DE-OS 3,341,303 discloses a dart game which includes a dart target diskfastened above a group of switches arranged in the form of a switchmatrix, with the segments of the target disk actuating the switch matrixif it is struck by a dart thrown by a player. The dart game includes afirst microcomputer for scanning the switch matrix in order to determinewhere the dart has struck the target disk and a second microcomputerwhich performs a plurality of tasks, such as calculation of the numberof points for each player and actuation of the display units to informthe players about game conditions and the number of points won per gamefor each player. The dart target disk of this device is fastened to anopening in the front wall of the housing by means of screws and aholding ring. The switch matrix disposed in the interior of the housingbehind the dart target disk is embedded between a rubber support and acarrier plate. Along its periphery, it is held at the front plate bymeans of threaded screws with associated nuts and by spacers surroundingthe threaded screws. To remove broken dart tips stuck in the dart targetdisk, it is necessary to initially move the device away from the wallagainst which it usually stands to gain access to the rear of the devicefor opening the rear wall. After opening the rear wall of the device,all components lying in front of the switch matrix--seen from the rearof the device--must be removed from the interior of the housing. Thenall nuts must be removed from the screws supporting the switch matrixand only then can the unit composed of rubber support, switch matrix andcarrier plate be pulled away from the holding screws to provide freeaccess to the rear of the individual segments of the dart target disk,thus making it possible to push the broken dart tips out of the darttarget disk. After removal of the broken dart tips from the dart targetdisk, the game device must be re-assembled in the reverse sequence. Sucha procedure for removing broken dart tips is thus inevitably extremelycomplicated and time consuming which consequently lead todisproportionately long interruptions of play.

Additionally, it is customary in prior art dart games to illuminate thedart target disk by providing a lamp fastened to a projecting holdingarm or the like at the front wall of the device. However, this type ofillumination of the dart target disk is disadvantageous insofar as abeam of light impinging obliquely on the dart target disk will throw aheavy shadow within the dart target disk and thus will not illuminatethe dart target disk uniformly. On the other hand, there exists thedanger of damage to the holding arm and the lamp during work on thedevice, particularly during the removal of broken dart tips from thedart target disk.

Additionally, DE A-3,038,029 discloses a target disk holder for firingranges in which the target disk holder is disposed on a movable carriagethat can be pulled toward the marksman by means of a cable pulley. Thetarget disk holder is composed of a spring-tensioned double frame whichcan be folded open and into which the target disk can be clamped.

Moreover, GB-A-587,980 discloses a dart game whose dart target disk isaccommodated in a curved frame. The frame is composed of a rear wall, aconical side wall and a cylindrical wall into which is inserted a lighttransmitting component to accommodate the darts. A light source isdisposed in the area between the rear wall of the frame and the lighttransmitting component.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to provide a dart game of theabove-mentioned type in which the easy and quick removal of broken darttips stuck in the dart target disk and the exchange of damaged segmentsof the dart target disk is ensured, and at the same time optimumillumination of the dart target disk is guaranteed.

This is accomplished according to the invention in that the elasticsupport, the group of switches and the carrier plate are madetransparent and can be folded away from the front wall as a unittogether with the dart target disk and subsequently from the dart targetdisk, with at least one light source being provided within the housingbehind the carrier plate.

The transparency of the components disposed behind the dart target diskpermits uniform illumination of the entire dart target disk, thus makingdetails of the dart target disk, particularly any broken dart tipspossibly stuck in it, clearly visible from even a greater distance.Moreover, the solution according to the invention makes it possible toobtain free access to the rear of the segments of the dart target diskby only two folding steps so as to remove the broken dart tips orexchange defective segments, if necessary. Thereafter it then againrequires only two folding steps, of course in the reverse sequence, tomake the dart game ready for playing. Such manipulation can be performedvery quickly and thus causes only a short interruption of play.

In order to be able to adapt the illumination of the dart target disk tolight conditions surrounding the dart game, one feature of the inventionprovides that the intensity of the light source can be regulated by wayof an associated dimmer. Advisably, a reflector which covers the entirecarrier plate is then associated with the light source which is disposedcentrally relative to the carrier plate.

According to an advantageous modification of the subject matter of theinvention, the carrier plate is provided with a plurality of receivingpins which are arranged behind the ribs of the dart target disk andproject in the direction of the dart target disk. The group of switchesas well as the elastic support are fastened to the carrier plate by wayof bores which mate with the receiving pins. Thus, after the carrierplate has been folded away from the folded-away dart target disk, it isthus ensured that the elastic support as well as the group of switchescan be exchanged quickly.

In order to prevent damage to the region of the front wall surroundingthe dart target disk from darts missing their target as well as suchdarts dropping to the ground, a further feature of the inventionprovides that the dart target disk is surrounded by segments which arefixed on its periphery and are not occupied by a point number. Thesesegments can be folded away from the front wall of the housing togetherwith the dart target disk. Thus, broken dart tips can also be easilyremoved from these non-counting segments.

The dart target disk is preferably held in the front wall of the housingby way of a hinge and a locking device disposed opposite the hinge.Moreover, preferably the carrier plate is connected with the dart targetdisk by way of a hinge and, in its folded-in state in the front wall,lies against a corresponding stop in the front wall on the side of thehousing. The hinges may of course be disposed in any desired positionbetween the mentioned components.

Another advantageous embodiment of the solution according to theinvention is distinguished in that the hinge between the dart targetdisk and the front wall is disposed in the lower region of the openingin the front wall; the hinge between the carrier plate and the darttarget disk lies in the same plane as the above-mentioned hinge and thecarrier plate together with the group of switches and the elasticsupport can be fixed by means of a holding device when the dart targetdisk is folded away into its folded-up position. This ensuresparticularly easy access to the components that can be folded away.

It is also possible to subdivide the dart target disk into a pluralityof segment-shaped sections which can each be separately folded away fromthe front wall.

In order to prevent the throwing of darts onto the dart target diskafter coin-operated games are completed, a further advantageous featureof the invention provides that a removable cover plate is provided infront of the dart target disk. This cover plate is preferably composedof glass or some other transparent material to always permit a view ontothe dart target disk. Advisably, the cover plate is arranged so as to beretractable into the interior of the housing and is spaced at a distancefrom the dart target disk which is greater than the distance of the freeends of darts stuck in the dart target disk from the dart target disk.

A further advantageous feature of the invention provides that the coverplate can be moved automatically into the open and closed position byway of an actuation device coupled to it. In the open position, thecover plate is retracted into the lower portion of the housing and inthe closed position it is disposed in front of the dart target disk. Theactuation device is switched in such a way that, at the onset of acoin-operated game, the cover plate automatically moves into the openposition and thus makes the dart target disk available while, at the endof the coin-operated game, the cover plate automatically moves into itsclosed position. Preferably, the actuation device includes a holderwhich supports the cover plate at its lower edge, a cable guided over areversing roller and equipped with a compensating spring whose end isfastened to a counterweight and a drive motor coupled with the reversingroller by way of gears. In order to fix the cover plate in its closedposition, the cover plate is advisably held in its closed position by alocking device which is charged by a spring and is actuatable by meansof an electromagnet. At the start of a game, the electromagnet releasesthe locking device so that the cover plate is able to move into itsretracted open position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The idea on which the invention is based will now be described ingreater detail by way of a description of an embodiment that isillustrated in the drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dart game according to theinvention, with the dart target disk folded away and with threepossibilities, shown in dash-dot lines, for folding away a unit composedof a carrier plate, a group of switches and an elastic support from thedart target disk;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the dart target disk and associated unit foldedaway from the front wall of the dart game housing, and includes apartial sectional view illustrating components to an enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the dart targetdisk, the elastic support, the group of switches and the carrier platewith associated light source and reflector;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the dartgame according to FIG. 1 with a retractable glass cover plate attachedin front of the dart target disk;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the dart game of FIG. 4, partially in section;and

FIG. 6 is a side view to an enlarged scale of the actuating device forthe cover plate of the dart game of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As is shown in FIGS. 1-3, the housing 1 of an embodiment of the dartgame includes a base 2, an attachment 3 supporting the dart target disk4 and a hood 5. The various operating elements 6, such as game selectionkeys, displays 7 for the selected type of game and a coin insertion slot8, are disposed in the free upper side of base 2. The frontal face ofhood 5 is provided with displays 9 for indicating the points earned.

Dart target disk 4 is provided with a plurality of radial ribs 10 whichare arranged at a uniform angular spacing from one another and areconnected together at their outer ends by a circular rib 11. Dart targetdisk 4 further comprises a plurality of concentric ribs 12 which arespaced at different distances from one another. The outer sides of allribs 10, 11, and 12 have the shape of an arrowhead so as to deflectdarts thrown into dart target disk 4. Segments 13 are arranged so as tobe slidably movable in the spaces between ribs 10, 11 and 12 and areprovided with a plurality of openings 14 into which the tip of a dart isable to penetrate. Each segment 13 has feet 15 which cooperate withassociated pressure switches of a group of switches 16. Switch group 16is embedded between an elastic support 17 facing segments 13 and acarrier plate 18. Carrier plate 18 is provided with receiving pins 19which project in the direction of segments 13 and onto which the groupof switches 16 and elastic support 17 are pushed by way of correspondingbores 20, 21 in these components. If a segment 13 is struck by a dart,this segment moves in the direction of carrier plate 18, thus pressingdown at least one foot 15 of segment 13 into elastic support 17 to theextent that it closes an associated pressure switch of switch group 16.The thus generated hit pulse is forwarded to a central microprocessorwhich controls all functions of the game.

Carrier plate 18, switch group 16 and elastic support 17 are composed oflight transmitting material. At a certain distance from the center ofcarrier plate 18, behind this plate, a light source 22 is disposedwithin housing 1 and has an associated reflector 23 which covers theentire carrier plate 18. Light beams emanating from light source 22 aredistributed over the entire carrier plate 18, penetrate it, as well asswitch group 16 and elastic support 17 due to the transparency of thesecomponents and exit through openings 14 in segments 13 of dart targetdisk 4, thus producing an illumination free of heavy shadows and thusproviding for good visibility of dart target disk 4.

Dart target disk 4 is inserted into a corresponding opening 24 in frontwall 25 of attachment 3 of housing 1 and is held in its position by ahinge 26 attached in the lower region of opening 24 between dart targetdisk and front wall 25 and by a locking device 27 disposed oppositehinge 26. Another hinge 28 disposed in the plane of hinge 26 connectscarrier plate 18 with dart target disk 4. Due to a corresponding stop 29on the side of the housing in the region of opening 24, carrier plate 18together with switch group 16 and elastic support 17 lie firmly againstdart target disk 4.

If a broken dart tip 30 must be removed from a segment 13 of dart targetdisk 4, release of locking device 27 permits dart target disk 4 togetherwith the unit 31 composed of carrier plate 18, switch group 16 andelastic support 17 to be folded outwardly in the direction of arrow 32of FIG. 3 away from the front wall 25 of attachment 3. Thereafter, unit31 must be folded upwardly in the direction of arrow 33 from dart targetdisk 4 into the position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2, and in thisposition it can be fixed by a holding device 34. Thus, the segment 13 ofdart target disk 4 holding the broken dart tip 30 is freely accessiblefrom the rear so that the broken dart tip can easily be pressed out ofsegment 13. At the same time, switch group 16 and/or elastic support 17can be quickly exchanged, if necessary. At the end of theabove-mentioned work, it is merely necessary to fold dart target disk 4back into its initial position and fix it in that position by means oflocking device 27, thus making the device ready for playing again.

The two further units 31' and 31" shown in FIG. 1 merely constitute twofurther variations for attachment to dart target disk 4, with theseunits 31' and 31" being fastened to dart target disk 4 by way ofappropriately placed hinges 28' and 28". Of course, other variations offastening unit 31 to dart target disk 4 and of fastening dart targetdisk 4 to front wall 25 are possible. The decisive factor for theinvention is that dart target disk 4 can be folded away from front wall25 together with unit 31 and unit 31, in turn, can be folded away fromdart target disk 4.

In the alternative dart game shown in FIGS. 4-6, housing 1 is providedwith a supporting base 35 and a projecting structure 36 disposed belowdart target disk 4. This projecting structure is equipped with thevarious operating elements 6, such as game selection keys, displays 7for the selected type of game and a coin insertion slot 8. Above darttarget disk 4, there are disposed, in the frontal face of housing 1,displays 9 for indicating the points earned. A glass cover plate 37 isspaced from dart target disk 4 by a distance which is greater than thedistance between the outer ends of darts 38 stuck in dart target disk 4and dart target disk 4. Glass cover plate 37 is disposed in front ofdart target disk 4 so as to be retractable into the lower portion ofhousing 1. Thus, cover plate 37 is able to unimpededly move from itsopen position in the lower portion of housing 1 into the closed positionin the upper portion of housing 1 in spite of darts 38 stuck in darttarget disk 4. Cover plate 37 is coupled with an actuation device 39with which cover plate 37 is automatically moved into the open positionat the beginning of a coin-operated game and into the closed position atthe end of this game. A holder 42 connected with a cable 40 equippedwith an integrated compensating spring 41 holds cover plate 37 at itslower edge. A counterweight 44 is fastened to the other end of cable 40,which is guided around a reversal roller 43. By way of a gear assembly45, reversal roller 43 is in operative connection with a drive motor 46.The closed position of the cover plate is associated with a lockingdevice 48 charged by a spring 47 to lock cover plate 37 in its closedposition. An electromagnet 49 coupled with locking device 48 serves torelease it.

For a realization of the various embodiments of the invention, thefeatures of the invention disclosed in the above specification, thedrawing figures and the claims may be significant individually as wellas in any desired combination.

What I claim is:
 1. In a dart game including a dart target disk attachedin an opening in the front wall of a housing, with said dart target diskincluding movable segments which are assigned different numbers ofpoints and are provided with holes to receive the darts so as toactuate, by way of an elastic support, a group of switches disposedbetween said support and a carrier plate when a dart strikes a segment,permitting by way of electrical and/or electronic components automaticrecording, counting and display of the points earned, the improvementcomprising:a first support means for supporting a unit on said darttarget disk, said unit including said elastic support, said group ofswitches, and said carrier plate; a second support means for supportingsaid dart target disk on said front wall; said dart target disk togetherwith said unit being pivotable about said second support means formovement between a generally vertical position and a position in whichsaid dart target disk and unit extend outwardly relative to the frontwall and thereafter said unit being pivotable about said first supportmeans to an unfolded position in which said unit is unfolded away fromthe dart target disk.
 2. A dart game according to claim 1, wherein theelastic support, the group of switches, and the carrier plate are lighttransmissive, and further comprising a light source within the housingbehind the carrier plate.
 3. A dart game according to claim 2, whereinthe light source is arranged centrally relative to the carrier plate,and further comprising a reflector which covers the entire carrierplate.
 4. A dart game according to claim 1, wherein the dart target diskis provided with ribs, wherein the carrier plate is provided with aplurality of receiving pins which are disposed behind the ribs of thedart target disk so as to project in the direction of the target disk,and wherein the switch group as well as the elastic support are fastenedto the carrier plate by way of bores mating with the receiving pins. 5.A dart game according to claim 1, wherein the dart target disk issurrounded by segments which are fixedly disposed along its peripheryand are not assigned any point numbers, said segments being pivotableaway from the generally vertical position together with the dart targetdisk.
 6. A dart game according to claim 1, wherein said second supportmeans comprises a hinge, the dart target disk being held at the frontwall of the housing by way of the hinge of the second support means, andfurther comprising a locking device disposed opposite the hinge of thesecond support means.
 7. A dart game according to claim 6, furthercomprising a stop in the front wall of the housing, and wherein thefirst support means comprises a hinge, the carrier plate being connectedwith the dart target disk by way of the hinge of the first support meansand, when pivoted to the unfolded position, lying against the stop inthe front wall of the housing.
 8. A dart game according to claim 7,wherein the hinge of the second support means is disposed between thedart target disk and the front wall in the lower region of the openingof the front wall, and wherein the hinge of the first support means liesbetween the carrier plate and the dart target disk in the same plane asthe hinge of the second support means; and further comprising holdingdevice means for fixing the carrier plate together with the switch groupand the elastic support can be in their unfolded position.
 9. A dartgame according to claim 1, further comprising a removable cover plateattached in front of the dart target disk.
 10. A dart game according toclaim 9, wherein the cover plate is composed of glass or some othertransparent material.
 11. A dart game according to claim 9, wherein thecover plate is disposed at a distance from the dart target disk which isgreater than the distance between the free ends of darts stuck in thedart target disk and the dart target disk, and further comprising meansfor retracting the cover plate into the housing.
 12. A dart gameaccording to claim 11, wherein the means for retracing the cover platecomprises actuation device means, coupled to the cover plate, forautomatically moving the cover plate into open and closed positions. 13.A dart game according to claim 12, wherein the actuation device meanscomprises a holder supporting the lower edge of the cover plate areversal roller, a cable with an integrated compensating spring, thecable being connected with the holder and being guided about thereversal roller, a counterweight fastened to an end of the cable, a gearmechanism, and a drive motor coupled with the reversal roller by way ofthe gear mechanism.
 14. A dart game according to claim 12, furthercomprising locking device means for holding the cover plate in itsclosed position, a spring, and an electromagnet, the locking devicemeans being charged by the spring and being actuated by theelectromagnet.